VYPE's Big Men on Campus (11-20)

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VYPE Vitals: Big Man on Campus
Class 5A Top 20 (11-15)

Ahmard Vital
FOX Sports NEXT

In the July 2012 issue of the Houston VYPE Magazine, a Top 20 teams were listed. On each of the teams, there is one guy who is listed as the Big Man on Campus…

11. Cypress Ranch – For the Mustangs, there’s no doubt that running back Keith Ford is the man on the yard. The Oklahoma commitment is the school’s first major football star in the school’s short history. Will the stellar play of Ford push the Mustangs over the hump and into the playoffs? We will all have to wait and see.

12. Cypress Woods – Quarterback Nate German may the guy who is slinging the ball and Alfred Pullom is busy patrolling the defensive backfield, but it’s linebacker Deoundrei Davis who takes the big man title. And why not? Anyone who watches 15 seconds of his highlight video knows that Davis is a live wire, who plays the game at an overly aggressive level every snap. Not only will that be beneficial to the Wildcats, but that style of play would bode well on the 40 Acres as well.

13. Alief Taylor – This one is much tougher than other schools. That’s because there are close to a dozen guys on the Lions roster who will play Division I ball over the next couple of years. Of course the headliner is defensive end Torrodney Prevot, and rightfully so, but this year running back Travorris Johnson will be the go-to guy for 2012, and therefore the big guy at Taylor. The TCU commitment will play a big role in the Lions’ success.

14. Pearland – It seems like the Pearland team is always in the hunt no matter how many top Oiler players graduate. In 2012, expect Pearland to be right there again. With that said, there are a few players who have valuable experience. One of those is John Gibberman, who will play one of the sacred linebacker positions for this upcoming season. Gibberman was part of the state title team in 2010.

15. Lamar – Interesting that the Redskins fell to the team that is ranked just above them last season in the playoffs. But know that Lamar will be in the hunt once again in 2012. That will be largely due to the play of quarterback Darrell Colbert Jr., who burst on the scene last season showing that he belongs amongst the city’s best athletes.

16. Bellaire – New coach usually brings a new surge in energy. For Bellaire, the good thing is there are players who have already proven that they can get the job done. Wide receiver Devin Lauderdale, who is a Texas Tech commit, is the go-to guy who gets it done on offense and in special teams.

17. Morton Ranch – Some of you may be looking at this thinking that this is a typo. Not the case as the Mavericks made the postseason before falling to Lamar in the opening round. Running back E.J. Achelus was money last season, but the big man nod will go to the elder back in Deion Williams. Both had 1,000-yard seasons in 2011.

18. Langham Creek – For quarterback Connor Feist to continue breaking records with every throw and on every down, he will need to be protected, well. That is where the offensive line, led by Kenneth Thompson comes in. His level of play has quite a few Division I programs wanting to add him to their rosters.

19. Hightower – There were some playmakers who have graduated off of a team that reached the state game and nearly won. And while there will be some new faces on the field and on the sidelines, the Hurricanes do have a solid defender in linebacker Josh Price who plays with a high motor and will likely have double-digit tackles in most games.

20. Bush – Could this be the year the Broncos break through? They did make it to the area round a year ago, but that fan base is itching for a deeper playoff run. With Ronald Monroe at quarterback, that is more than possible. In fact if he has the breakout season that many predict, the Broncos could be dancing a few more rounds deeper in the playoffs.